BANGLADESH leader Muhammad Yunus` visit to China this week marks a critical moment in South Asian ge opolitics. The interim leader, who came to power after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina`s forced exit, is signalling a potential shift away from India`s traditional influence in Dhaka.

China, quick to seize strategic opportunities, is rolling out the red carpet. The stakes are high not just for Bangladesh but for the entire region.

China`s deepening ties with Bangladesh are not new.

It has long been Dhaka`s largest trading partner, its biggest arms supplier, and a key infrastructure investor under the Belt and Road Initiative.

However, the current political upheaval offers Beijing a fresh opening. By positioning itself as Bangladesh`s go-to partner, China can further entrench its influence in the Bay of Bengal, a crucial maritime region where India, the US, and Japan have strategic interests. For China, the benefits are two-fold.

First, a pro-China Bangladeshi leadership could dilute India`s strategic depth in the neighbourhood. Secondly, by strengthening security ties, Beijing can gain access to ports and logistical hubs, boosting its regional presence.

Bangladesh, with its geostrategic location, is a vital piece in China`s Indo-Pacific puzzle.

The Yunus administration`s tilt towards China appears to be driven by political and economic considerations. The new leadership, comprising nonAwami League factions, seeks to recalibrate foreign relations after years of India-centric policies under Sheikh Hasina.

However, the timing and nature of this shift raise questions about whether it is a prag-matic diversification strategy or a reactionary move to distance itself from India.

Bangladesh`s economic realities also play a role. With rising infrastructure debts and an urgent need for foreign investments, Dhaka may find China`s financial promises attractive.

The Belt and Road Initiative`s renewed push and potential security cooperation agreements could offer shortterm economic relief. But the long-term implications especially the risk of debt dependence -must not be overlooked.

Mr Yunus` China visit will likely accelerate regional recalibrations. If Bangladesh formalises security agreements with Beijing, it will trigger concerns in New Delhi.

India`s historical, cultural, and economic ties with Bangladesh are deep, but geopolitics is driven by realpolitik.

A shift in Dhaka`s stance could push India to rethink its neighbourhood strategy, strengthening partnerships with Japan, the US, and other Indo-Pacific allies to counterbalance China`s inroads. The broader question is whether Bangladesh is truly securing an independent strategic space or merely becoming a pawn in China`s expansionist playbook.

As Beijing deepens peopleto-people exchanges and economic engagements, Dhaka`s leaders must carefully navigate this newfound proximity.

Sovereignty and strategic autonomy must remain paramount, lest Bangladesh find itself in a geopolitical bind from which exit options are limited. For India, the lesson is clear: complacency is not an option. A more proactive and flexible approach is needed to counter balance China`s influence in the region. The DhakaBeijing equation is evolving, and New Delhi must be prepared to recalibrate its own playbook accordingly.-ANN